Bridge to Terabithia

This big-screen adaptation of Katherine Paterson's award-winning 1977 children's book (preceded by a serviceable 1985 television movie) isn't likely to displace anyone's memory of the popular tome, but its winning cast and generally faithful script are more than earnest enough to capture the powerful and bittersweet spirit that has, for decades, continued to make the story a favorite of children and adults alike.

Following their monumentally successful teaming on
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Walden Media and Walt Disney Pictures went looking for comparably revered subject matter with which to forge a follow-up.
Bridge to Terabithia
is unquestionably comparably revered, but it's hardly the same class of story, an intimate and oftentimes challenging story of outcast rural teenagers Jesse and Leslie (Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb) who find refuge from the pain of reality in the creation of an elaborate imaginary world in the woods.

Contrary to the film's elaborate ad campaign, which suggests a fully realized CGI re-creation of the world of Terabithia, the movie contains surprisingly little CGI, instead focusing on the kids, their unique bond and the powerful life lessons that come as a result of their adventures. Director Gabor Csupo, cofounder of famed
Rugrats
animation house Klasky-Csupo, makes an auspicious feature directorial debut here, careful to avoid any stylistic indulgences that might undercut character or theme.

One can imagine, however, that the reigns from the Paterson estate were fairly rigid as Paterson's son David, whose own childhood experiences inspired the original book, is credited as both a producer and co-screenwriter along with Jeff Stockwell (2002's
The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys
). Still, it's hard to imagine that Paterson herself could have imagined two more suitable stars than Hutcherson and the absolutely dazzling Robb, two immensely talented performers who capture the essence of teenage angst and joy so completely that the film's handful of minor shortcomings almost seem to evaporate.